Fabio Vieira’s second debut for Porto is on hold after the midfielder picked up a thigh problem.
The 24-year-old returned to his former club on loan two weeks ago and aimed to take to the field in Sunday’s home clash with Farense.
The seriousness of the problem remains unclear, but it occurred on his return to training after a three-day break during the Interlull.
Having endured a frustrating couple of years at Arsenal, he’ll be desperate to get back on the pitch soon.
In an interview with O Jogo (translated by the Evening Standard), he explained why he decided to return to his childhood club.
“The idea of returning came from me. I love this club and I’m going to give everything on the pitch,” he said.
“I’m happy, obviously, it’s my home. I’m looking forward to being at the stadium, playing in front of these fans and doing the best I can for this club this season.
“It was a chance that, above all, came to me because it was something I already wanted: to play. I had a difficult time in England, an operation, and at this moment I felt that FC Porto was a good opportunity to continue growing and developing.
“I felt that this was the right place to do it this season.”
News of Vieira’s setback comes a week after Sevilla confirmed Sambi Lokonga had picked up another hamstring injury.
The Belgium international missed the opening game of the season with a similar issue but recovered to make consecutive starts against Mallorca and Girona.
While we’ve not seen anything official, there are reports floating that he could be sidelined for up to five weeks by the latest problem.
It’s familiar territory for the 24-year-old who was sidelined for 69 days of his loan at Luton Town due to issues with the same muscle.
Sevilla have an option to buy Lokonga next summer and Arsenal will be hoping he performs well to secure a pre-agreed €12 million fee.
Closer to home, we’re waiting an update from the club regarding the injuries suffered by Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori in the last week. The Norwegian returned to London yesterday on crutches after a nasty ankle twist in Norway’s 2-1 win over Austria while the Italian was sent home prematurely from Italy’s camp with a calf issue.
Mikel Merino, Gabriel Jesus, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kieran Tierney are the other members of Mikel Arteta’s senior squad currently in the treatment room.
Im currently injury free, so call me Mikel.
Hi Mikel
you’re Mikel.
No way. The only squad member whose name is Mikel is already injured.
Is it why your comments about transfers are always right?
Here’s my number, so call me maybe.
So even if they were still here, they couldn’t fill in for Martin and Declan on the weekend. Obviously not how time and space works, but funny nonetheless.
Time and space work different at Arsenal. When you transfer to us your ligaments shrink, calf and hamstrings tighten and suddenly opposition defenders’ feet magically appear through wormholes to land on your ankles while match officials’ brains get temporally displaced so that they don’t witness these obvious fouls.
Honestly, you couldn’t even make it up! And IF you did, NO-ONE would believe you!
Calafiora.
I watched that Italy France game……..let me tell you, this guy is class.
Lets pray that he and Martin get back real soon.❤️❤️
Its like players are playing too much football or something!
And what football has Vieira played this past 12 months?
That also causes injuries.
Ffs
So as soon as Arsenal buy him he changes his name to Calf-afiori?
Sorry Sambi, sorry Fabio, guess that Arsenal juju don’t come off so easily. You said Edu’s name 3 times and now you’re trapped in the antiworld of physical fitness.
Those people online claiming Arsenal are lucky and don’t get injuries (even though we had key players missing for key parts of the season for the last 3 seasons) have cursed us further, even our loan players are feeling the effects!